Family group conference
Family group conferences are now used in more than 60 local authorities in England and Wales and in over 20 countries worldwide. Supported by a growing body of credible research and evaluation, family group conferences provide positive outcomes for children, families, agencies and communities.
Evidence clearly demonstrates a range of excellent outcomes:
- plans that are viewed as safe by families and workers in over 90% of conferences
- significantly improved communication and understanding between agencies and families
- a reduction in the number of children who are accommodated Increased contact for children and young people with their family network and friends
Barnardo’s are one of the leading providers of family group conferences in the UK. Barnardo’s South West has run over 400 conferences in the past seven years. Using our experience you could soon be running successful family group conferences to a high standard.
We offer:
Project management – you can contract us to set up and run a project for you
Consultancy – we can advise you on how to set up and run your own project
Training – we can train and coach managers, co-ordinators and advocates.
Independent sessional co-ordinators and advocates – you can buy in sessional workers from our experienced team (based in the South West).
Barnardo’s run family group conferences in a variety of situations where a plan needs to be made for a child. For example:
- to look at placement issues for looked after children
- to support young carers
- in adoption
- to resolve contact issues
- where there are child protection concerns
- for educational reasons
- in the youth justice system
"It seemed quite miraculous to have Lyn and Ian in the same room and talking reasonably and that can only be to the benefit of the children. I think this is a marvelous way of bringing families.”
What is a family group conference?
Every family is unique, with its own culture, personalities, personal dynamics and history. All families come up against problems from time to time. Some of the more difficult situations involving children can be easily sorted out with help from relatives and friends and some may also need help from health services, the education department, social services, or other agencies.
Family group conferences are a way of giving families the chance to get together to try and make the best plan possible for children. The decision makers at a Barnardo’s Family Group Conference are the family members and not the service providers. The plan the family make should be accepted unless it places the child at risk of significant harm.
Evidence clearly demonstrates a range of excellent outcomes
- plans that are viewed as safe by families and workers in over 90% of conferences
- significantly improved communication and understanding between social services and families
- a reduction in the number of children who are accommodated and increased contact with their friends and family network
"Questions were all answered. Very good hospitality. Well planned structure to the meeting. Jemma’s future, was pinpointed at all times.”
What could Barnardo’s South West offer you?
Barnardo's are one of the leading providers of family group conferences in the UK and have run over 400 conferences in the past seven years. Our experience could help you:
- we can set up and manage a project for you
- we can train and coach your staff if you are wanting to set up a project
- we can offer consultancy
- we can provide independent coordinators and advocates from our experienced team
What makes a Barnardo’s family group conference so successful?
- highly trained independent co-ordinators with strong management support and excellent standards of practice
- independent advocates for children and vulnerable adults-research shows children are more likely to participate if supported by an independent person. The Wiltshire Project was the first in the UK to routinely offer young people independent advocates
- a flexible and child centred approach to the model
